OWENSBORO, Ky. (10/3/13) – The Affordable Care Act, a stagnant economy, and the need for more bipartisanship in the Kentucky General Assembly were the three main topics of a speech given by Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer at this morning’s Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Rooster Booster breakfast.

Thayer said he is “opposed to ‘Obamacare,’ at every level.”

“Quite frankly, we can’t afford it,” he said, adding that he is in disagreement with Gov. Steve Beshear over the governor’s decision to bypass the legislature and sign an executive order authorizing support of the concept in Kentucky. He said it’s an issue he expects lawmakers will take up as part of budget talks, particularly if Beshear includes appropriations for healthcare related to the ACA in his budget proposals.

The need to develop job creation in Kentucky is paramount on the list of topics to be tackled in Frankfort, but Thayer said the ability to proceed with solving the challenge is hindered by the poor economy.

“This has been the slowest economic recovery since World War II,” he said.

However, he did make a promise as he concluded his address at the breakfast.

“I can’t promise there will be money (to develop job creation initiatives), but I can promise if we do this Owensboro will be included,” he said.

Thayer also talked about a new approach toward partisanship between parties in Frankfort. He said Republicans and Democrats worked together to select committee members, and that for the first time since Beshear has been in office, a formal gathering of lawmakers in both parties was held.